Method and apparatus for gauging body size

ABSTRACT

A plurality of body sizers comprise sample garments for temporary wear made of a different material to a corresponding plurality of garments for long-term wear. Each of the garments for long-term wear is made to a predetermined size based on the size of a respective one of the body sizers. The most appropriately sized one of the garments for long-term wear may be selected by gauging which of the body sizers is the best match to the actual size of at least part of a person&#39;s body. A body sizer comprises a sample garment for temporary wear formed into a single integral piece and comprises means for indicating a plurality of different predetermined sizes on which the sizes of a corresponding plurality of garments for long-term wear are based.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates byreference essential subject matter disclosed in International PatentApplication No. PCT/GB2004/003985 filed on Sep. 17, 2004 and GreatBritain Patent Application No. 0321878.1 filed Sep. 18, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use ingauging body size. In particular, the present invention relates to asample garment, or sizer, of a standard size. It is envisaged that aparticularly useful application of the sizer will be in purchasingclothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It can often be difficult for a customer to select an appropriatelysized garment, such as a pair of trousers, if the garment cannot betried on. For example, where a customer orders a garment from a mailorder catalogue, it is often the case that the garment, once delivered,does not fit the customer. This results in many items being returned tothe supplier. This is inconvenient for the customer and expensive forthe supplier. There are many different suppliers of clothing and, evenwhen using uniform standard sizing systems, each supplier's products arenot necessarily the same size as those of another supplier. This makesit even more difficult for the customer to choose an appropriate size.

Difficulties also arise where it is not possible for a clothing outletto include changing rooms on their premises—for example, in aparticularly small shop. Even where changing room facilities areprovided, they are often inadequate (particularly at very busy times,such as during a sale) and customers have to queue for some time to tryclothing on.

Several methods have been proposed to overcome the problem ofill-fitting clothing. For example, methods to determine bodymeasurements in order to provide garments that accurately fit anindividual have been proposed. For example US 2002/0166254 A1 disclosesa stretch bodysuit which provides uniform markings at which accuratebody measurements can be taken using a tape measure. The measurementsare used to produce a custom-made garment. This system, however, is notuseful to suppliers that produce a set range of sizes, such as mailorder companies, or clothing retailers.

It is also known, as disclosed in JP2002-212823 for example, to providea customer with samples of sections of a garment. The customer can thenselect the most appropriate size for each section from the samplesprovided, and custom-made garment is supplied. However, this is alsounsuitable for mass-manufacturing or mail order clothing companies whodo not seek to supply custom-made clothing.

It is not known, however, to provide a method whereby a customer canselect a correctly sized garment produced by a particular companywithout trying it on.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to overcome these problems by providing asystem whereby a customer can gauge their body size in relation tostandard size garments produced by one or more clothing company.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sizing guide, orsizer, comprising a sample garment which conforms to a predeterminedsize, wherein the sizer is made from a low-stretch material. By using alow-stretch material the customer can gain a more accurate determinationof their body size in relation to the sizer. It can be envisaged that aparticular company, such as a mail order clothing company or clothingshop, would supply sizers in a plurality of predetermined sizes to itscustomers. The body size of a customer can then be gauged, and futuregarments can be purchased from the company without being first tried-on.

In one embodiment, the sizer conforms to International size standards.In another embodiment, the sizer conforms to a standard size of aparticular company. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the sizerindicates the corresponding size as produced by one or more othercompany.

Preferably, the garment sizer is made from a lightweight material.Suitably, the garment sizer is disposable. More preferably the garmentsizer is made from a non-woven fabric.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for purchasing a garment by enabling a customer to gauge theirbody size in relation to garments produced by a particular companycomprising the steps of: (i) supplying to the customer at least twosizers, each comprising a sample garment made from a low-stretchmaterial which conforms to a predetermined size; (ii) selection of thesizer which conforms most accurately to the body sizer of the customer;(iii) and supply of clothing to the customer in the appropriate size.

In one embodiment, the sizers are supplied with a mail order clothingcatalogue. In another embodiment, sizers are supplied by a clothingoutlet or shop.

Preferably, the sizer is made from a lightweight material. Suitably, thesizer is disposable. More preferably the garment sizer is made from anon-woven fabric.

Suitably, the sizer may be a pair of trousers or a shirt. In thepreferred embodiment, the sizer further comprises means for indicating aplurality of leg or sleeve lengths. Preferably, the indicating meanscomprise perforations. Alternatively, the indicating means comprisecutting lines. The cutting lines may be formed by, for example,stitching. Further, it is preferred that the sizer has detachableportions to represent, for example, different necklines. The customerwill therefore also be able to gain an indication of how a particularstyle of garment fits. Advantageously, the detachable portions areremovable by means of perforations or cutting lines.

Optionally, the sizer comprises means for indicating more than onepredetermined size. In a particular embodiment, the sizer has means forindicating a plurality of shoulder-strap lengths. Suitably, a straplength is indicated by means of a removable and replaceable peg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a sizer in accordance with thefirst aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a sizer in accordancewith the first aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a lower-body sizer in the formof a pair of trousers. The sizer provides an accurate representation ofthe anthropometric data on which a company's garment size will be based.A sizer is produced for each of a number of standard sizes. A customerwishing to purchase a pair of trousers from the company is provided withone or more sizer from which to select the size which accuratelyrepresents their body size.

Tear-off portions 10, 11, 12 are provided to represent different leglengths. Portion 10 indicates a short leg length, portion 11 indicates aregular leg length and portion 12 indicates a long leg length.

The sizer is made from a low-stretch material in order that a trueindication of the customer's body size is obtained. In the preferredembodiment, the sizer is made from a non-woven fabric, such as anon-woven polypropylene.

It is preferable that the sizer has a degree of durability so that itcan be tried-on numerous times and retained by the customer for futurereference. For this reason, in the preferred embodiment, the sizer isconstructed by stitching or welding. If the body measurements of thecustomer change, a new sizer can be ordered.

With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown a torso sizer having sleevetear-off portions 20, 21, 22 indicating a short (20), regular (21) andlong (22) length sleeve.

Many other embodiments of the present invention are, of course,possible. For example, the present invention extends to skirts, jackets,dresses, underwear, wetsuits and uniforms. It is also possible tocombine more than one garment in one garment sizer—as with the aboveembodiment of a trouser/shorts sizer. For example, a skirt/dress sizerwould be possible.

It is envisaged that the sizer will have several applications. Forexample, it will be useful where a clothing supplier wishes to preventtoo many customers from trying on particularly expensive or delicateitem or clothing, such as a wedding dress. A further application may bein the manufacture of uniforms for the army or police, for example.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described withrespect to a particular embodiment thereof, it should be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to thisinvention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A plurality of body sizers comprising samplegarments for temporary wear and a corresponding plurality of garmentsfor long term wear made of a different material to the body sizerswherein each of said garments for long term wear is made to apredetermined size based on the size of a respective one of the bodysizers such that the most appropriately sized one of said garments forlong term wear may be selected by gauging which of said body sizers isthe best match to the actual size of at least part of a person's body.22. The plurality of body sizers as claimed in claim 21 wherein the bodysizer(s) are less durable than the corresponding garments for long termwear.
 23. The plurality of body sizers as claimed in claim 21 having asize on which the sizes of two or more different corresponding garmentsfor long term wear are based.
 24. The plurality of body sizers asclaimed in 21 made of a low-stretch material.
 25. The plurality of bodysizers as claimed in claim 21 made of a lightweight material.
 26. Theplurality of body sizers as claimed in claim 21 made of a non-wovenfabric.
 27. The plurality of body sizers as claimed in claim 21 made ofpolypropylene.
 28. The plurality of body sizers as claimed in claim 21constructed by stitching or welding.
 29. The plurality of body sizers asclaimed in claim 21 which are disposable.
 30. The plurality of bodysizers as claimed in claim 21 which are sufficiently durable that theymay be worn temporarily on more than one occasion.
 31. A body sizercomprising means for indicating a plurality of different sizes and oneor more detachable portions for selecting one of the indicated sizes,said detachable portion(s) being attached by one or more lines ofweakness.
 32. The body sizer as claimed in claim 31 wherein the lines ofweakness comprise perforations.
 33. The body sizer as claimed in claim31 made of polypropylene.
 34. The body sizer as claimed in claim 31constructed by stitching or welding.
 35. A method of selecting one of aplurality of predetermined garment sizes comprising: providing aplurality of body sizers comprising sample garments for temporary wearwherein the predetermined garment sizes are each based on the size of arespective one of the body sizers; trying on one or more of the bodysizers to gauge which is the best match to the actual size of at leastpart of a person's body; and selecting one of said predetermined garmentsizes corresponding to the body sizer gauged to be the best match.
 36. Amethod of selecting one of a plurality of predetermined garment sizescomprising: providing a body sizer comprising means for indicating aplurality of different sizes and one or more detachable portions forselecting one of the indicated sizes; detaching one or more of thedetachable portions to select one of the indicated sizes; and selectingone of the said predetermined garment sizes based on the selected size.37. The method as claimed in claim 36 comprising tearing off one or moreof the detachable portions.
 38. A method of supplying a garment to acustomer comprising: providing a body sizer corresponding to one or moreof a plurality of garment sizes; the customer trying on the body sizerto gauge whether it is a good match to the actual size of at least partof the customer's body; and supplying to the customer a garment having asize based on the size of the body sizer or one of the sizes of the bodysizer.
 39. The method as claimed in claim 36 comprising supplying saidbody sizer with a mail order catalogue.
 40. The method as claimed inclaim 36 comprising supplying said body sizer from a clothing outlet orshop.